At Last, a Finished Object

I've finally finished the Checkered Heart baby pullover sweater! I had started this well over a year ago, put it down (without any notes about what the pattern was or where I was in it) as usual. I hate that I do this but I never seem to learn my lesson. I always put projects down with the intention that I will get right back to it. Good intentions but bad knitting practice. The pattern is a blending of two pullovers in Little Badger Knitwear, but with a twist. I change the yarn used to fingering instead of what the patterns actually call for to "size down" the sweater for my needs. I started this with the birth of my first grandchild, Jack.
His father is British and I wanted to knit a Union Jack sweater. The only pattern I could find was in a Debbie Bliss book, Nautical Knits For Kids, but it was a pattern for a child, not a newborn. Since it was my first intarsia pattern, I didn't want to attempt it without some assurance that I could size it down. I emailed Debbie Bliss, who was most gracious and replied back that, yes, I could indeed use fingering yarn (and appropriate needle size) to size down the pattern and it worked. It came out exactly like I wanted. I'd show a pic but I don't have one of it. I hope my daughter kept the sweater, though. She does like to through things away.
Anyway, for this latest sweater I used a the skull and cross bone sweater pattern that I had previously knit in Rowan CashCotton 4 Ply for my Granddaughter Mia. Unfortunately, I took the picture of this in the summer and Mia, poor thing, wanted it off!
Since I liked how the pattern and yarn worked, I repeated the pattern again with different colors of the same yarn and a different intarsia chart. I adapted the heart chart for another sweater to a checkered heart. Why, you ask? Well, I not really a cutsie heart loving kind of gal. The only heart jewelry I own is a handcrafted heart necklace from local "sister" crafters who live in Santa Barbara. Uncharacteristically, I fell in love with one of their "heart" pieces.

So, I made a new chart and finally finished the sweater. This will be for Annabel because only Annabel will fit in it now, thanks to my procrastination
(sigh).
I do like how it turned out and I can't wait to visit and see how it fits!

To my readers: I apologize for the placement for my picture placements. I just can't seem to get Blogger to do what I want.

Silly Painted Door Test

My front door isn't painted. I have no intention of painting it, either, but I thought this one question test was fun because it reminds of a sight I encounter frequently. Whenever I venture down the mountain I live on, I drive past a house which always catches my attention. It's a modern stucco house with a flat roof that is painted all pale lavender except for the south facing side which is painted bright yellow. And on the attached deck of this side is a stunning black and white canvas gazebo. This sounds horrible, I know, but it actually isn't when seen in person. It's all done in a very tasteful way. I loved it when the owner had a life size zebra by the purple front door, but they moved that. I wonder where? I also love that they have a freestanding faded green painted door - just a door - standing by itself at the entrance to their garden. I never see who lives there and often think that when I do, I will stop and tell them how much I admire their creativity.

Your Door Says You Are Absurdly Fanciful

You are daring, unusual, and extravagant. You are like an eccentric wealthy person... Even if you don't have the money to back it up yet. You crave luxury. You love to feel rich.

The Front Door Test

St. Brigid, Patron Saint of Poetry, February 2nd

I missed it, but I still care. In honor of St. Brigid and poetry,

I submit two of my own:


Lace hands
Betray
A woman’s
Age.

Silky,
Graceful,
Welcoming
Hands


Display
Affection
And
Sage.

Written Thursday, October 9, 2008, 7:43 PM
© 2008 Elizabeth Martin


You discover who
Your true friends
Are
In the worst of times.

Those who were there
For the
Fun,
Are not there
For the
Long
Run.

It’s a lesson
Learned,

If you really
Discerned

The qualities
Of people
You once
Held dear,

And if your
Love
Was truly
Earned.

Realized

Now,
That they’re
Not
Here.

Written 10/17/08, 12:15 P.M.
© 2008 Elizabeth Martin